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U.K. greenlights using DNA from 3 people to make babies

The U.K. has become the first country to officially greenlight a license that allows scientists to make babies using DNA from three people, reports the Chicago Tribune. The procedure is meant to prevent women from passing on potentially fatal genetic diseases to their children

The license was granted Thursday to scientists from Britain's Newcastle University that have been working on a procedure that swaps out the risky parts of a mother's DNA with a donor's healthy DNA. The resulting embryo is a mix of DNA from both women as well as from the father.

Last year, U.S.-based doctors announced they had created the world's first baby using the techniques, although the procedure was performed in Mexico since it hasn't been approved in the States. Meanwhile, critics argue that the treatment may be too risky. It also marks the first step toward what many people consider the unethical creation of "designer babies."

Protesters gather north of Lafayette Square near the White House during a demonstration against racism and police brutality, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been rallying in cities across the U.S. and around the world to protest the killing of George Floyd. Huge crowds assembled in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago for full-day events on Saturday.

Despite a ban on large gatherings implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, protesters rally against racism in front of the American Embassy in Paris on June 6. Photo: Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of people have continued to rally in cities across the world against racism and show their support this week for U.S. demonstrators protesting the death in police custody of George Floyd.